01706nam a22001577a 4500 514861 514861 201225b ||||| |||| 00| 0 eng d Harding, Andrew J.E. et al 21878 “It can’t really be answered in an information pack ”:A realist evaluation of a telephone housing options service for older people Social Policy and Society 19(3), Jul, 2020: p.361-378 Despite calls for better support to empower people when reassessing their housing in later life, two recent literature reviews highlight a paucity of research on the efficacy of such services. This paper reports a qualitative realist evaluation on the efficacy of a UK telephone service providing information on specialist housing to older people. The findings of 31 realist interviews with 16 older people are presented. Information-seekers’ existing tenure (social tenant or private owner-occupier/renter) shaped their experience and utilisation of support. Broadly, however, information was considered too ‘light touch’ to empower older people. However, the widely recognised lack of accessible housing options and reports of non-transparent and unresponsive market practices were also key factors. This study underlines the widely acknowledged need to increase the supply of specialist housing, and recommends that housing options support be reflective of market conditions and be more substantive - including discussion, deliberation, education and advocacy. - Reproduced Hosuing options, Sheltered housing, Extra care housing, Information advice, Realist evaluation 19841 Social Policy and Society HOUSING AR 0 0 ddc 0 0 388876 IIPA IIPA 2020-12-25 19(3), Jul, 2020: p.361-378 AR123740 2020-12-25 AR